Rudder Rangers (1-1) at Navasota Rattlers (0-2)

Last Week:

Rudder 43, Elgin 42

Sealy 29, Navasota 0

Rudder erased a 29-14 second-half deficit to come back and beat Elgin. The Rangers lost two key players that were injured in a car accident earlier in the week, safety Gage Schwartz and quarterback Brant Roberts.EJ Ezar had one touchdown pass on 9 of 15 passing for 153 yards. Keithron Lee toted the ball six times for 99 yards.

Navasota kept the game close against No. 5 Sealy in the first half, but the Tigers built on their 8-0 halftime lead with three touchdowns in the third quarter to secure a 29-0 win. Navasota quarterback Zack Dyer complete 11 passes for 114 yards. Truman Garza rushed for 44 yards on five carries.

Last Meeting:

Rudder 27, Navasota 7

Rudder notched its first win of the season against Navasota in 2018. The Rangers returned three Navasota fumbles for touchdowns in the win. Darius Randle provided the lone score for the Rattlers with a 25-yard run.

Series Matchup:

Navasota leads the series 3-2. 2018: Rudder 27, Navasota 7; 2011: Navasota 31, Rudder 7; 2010: Rudder 17, Navasota 0; 2009: Navasota 41, Rudder 14; 2008: Navasota 58, Rudder 3;

2019:

Rudder has scored 70 points in two games but have given up as many allowing 70 points defensively.

Navasota has looked sound defensively but hasn’t been able to find an answer on offense. The Rattlers haven’t found the endzone in two games and were shut out in week two. Their only score came on a long field goal by Miguel Alvarado in week one against Episcopal.

Key Matchup:

Navasota must find an answer offensively to win this matchup. Navasota head coach Casey Dacus said, “We have to be able to handle the movement they show on defense for us to be successful offensively.” He also said they must get lined up correctly on defense to contain the Rangers. It’ll take execution early on both sides of the ball for Navasota to build confidence against the Rangers.